CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1111, 1 August 1882, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

[JFe do not hold ourselves responsible for opinions expressed by our correspondents.']

GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE with THE POLICE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I have given your article on the above subject a careful consideration, and I commend you for making the most of your case, but there is another side to it. I fail to see what the plea of spite or personal feeling has to do with the matter. It appeare to me that the question is, “ Have, or have not the Government in some way or other tied the hands of the Police in the matter of a felony reported by them to the Government ? And does not the Government still prevent the Police from proceeding in the matter?” If this be so, surely it concerns every citizen of the Colony to know the “why” and “ wherefore ” the Government has done so, and I cannot but think the Borough Council perfectly right in the action they have taken in the matter. You do not find fault with them for moving in the matter of a periodical session of the Supreme Court hero for facilitating the administration of “Justice,” and other matters, quite outside tho making of roads, etc., and why then do you find fault with them in this matter P Putting aside all question of spite or personal feeling, surely it must strike most persons, that, if the Government have done this thing, and it is allowed to remain so, it will be a very dangerous precedent for tho future. Mr Editor, from your article you appear to feel quite sure that the Government have not taken so foolish a step as to interfere with tho Police in the particular matter in question, but a perusal of the papers, and the latest “ reports ” and “ proceedings ” of tho House, shew quite the contrary. This whole controversy would ba saved by a few words from tho Government to the Police, by telling them that they are, and have been free, and, to do their duty without fear, favor, or affection. If this were done the whole matter would ba at an end, and confidence would be restored.—Yours, etc., Citizen. Gisborne, Ist August, 1882. [Wo reply to “ Citizen ” in brief words. He would not fail to see what the plea of spite or personal feeling has to do with the matter if ho were willing to deal fairly and impartially with it. The Government have not restricted or interfered with the action of tho Police. Vide H. 31. The whole case has been stirred up by Mr DeLautour and Mr Tucker, and has no interest for the public. The Borough Council are elected to watch the interests of ratepayers, not to further the personal .interests of Messrs DeLautour and Tucker. If those gentlemen choose to swear an information in this case the Police will act without fear or favor, but if the information is wrong and mischief ensues, Messi’s DeLautour and Tucker, not the Police or the Government, should certainly bear the consequences, whatever they may be, of failure. There is no necessity of Government interference, and the “ few words to tho Police ” can only be needed to shield Captain Tucker and Mr DeLautour from the possible consequences of their persecution of an individual whom they dislike, and whom they seek to prosecute under tho shelter of public interests. The Borough Council have no earthly right to meddle with the matter. — Ed. P.B.S.]